In less than half an hour, Xianyun returned with eleven Heavenly Fragrance players.
They gathered in the small courtyard, chattering among themselves.
“Are we really going to fight?”
“Probably.”
“But what if it hurts?”
“Then stay further back.”
“If I stay too far back, how am I supposed to heal anyone?”
“Then what do you suggest?”
“I’m asking you because I don’t know what to do, Sister!”
“Listen, quiet down. You’re leaving her speechless. If you’re that afraid of pain, you shouldn’t have come. Honestly, you shouldn’t even be playing Xianjie.”
“Exactly.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? What’s wrong with being afraid of pain?” Hearing their mockery, the Heavenly Fragrance player pouted, clearly indignant.
At that moment, Chen Xiaoyan and Chong Chong pushed open the door and stepped out of the inner house. Looking at the group of Heavenly Fragrance players in the courtyard, Chen Xiaoyan broke into a smile and raised her hand in greeting.
“Hello, everyone. With the Guild War imminent, I won’t waste time with small talk. I only have one requirement: follow orders and do not wander off.”
“Master Xiaoyan, I have a question!”
“What is it?” Chen Xiaoyan looked toward the player who had spoken and was slightly taken aback.
The girl’s stature was incredibly petite. ‘I thought Chong Chong was small, but this girl is on another level.’
She was basically the size of an elementary school student.
However, Chen Xiaoyan had no memory of this little girl. She opened her Friend List and scrolled through it, but she couldn’t find a matching ID.
“Excuse me, little sister, may I ask how you got here?”
“I walked,” the girl replied.
The answer left Chen Xiaoyan speechless. She could only look at Xianyun, her eyes questioning who this child was.
Xianyun looked just as bewildered. “Big Sister, I don’t know either.”
Chen Xiaoyan sighed helplessly. ‘Whatever, as long as she’s a Heavenly Fragrance player, it doesn’t matter.’
But she still needed to clarify the girl’s identity before inviting her to the team. It would be bad if she was a mole sent by Wushuang Lou.
[ID: Shen Yue]
Chen Xiaoyan sent the girl’s ID to Mu Qingxue, asking her to have her scouts look into it.
“What’s wrong, Master Xiaoyan? Don’t you want me?” The little girl twiddled her fingers, looking at her with a pitiful, aggrieved expression.
Chen Xiaoyan had intended to nod since the girl’s identity was unknown. But looking into those innocent, crystal-clear eyes, she couldn’t bring herself to say it.
*Stare—*
Chong Chong stared intently at the newcomer. She felt her position was being seriously challenged. ‘Acting cute in front of the God of Cuteness? Who gave you the nerve?’
“Sister, why are you looking at me like that?” The little girl tilted her head, looking at Chong Chong with confusion.
The girl’s appearance wasn’t exceptionally striking, but her eyes were pure and untainted. Even Chong Chong couldn’t help but marvel at how clean a person’s gaze could be.
“None of your business,” Chong Chong snapped.
‘No matter how pure or cute you are, you won’t shake my resolve. You want my spot? No way!’
“I’m sorry…” The little girl trembled and shrank back timidly.
Her panicked, pitiful display caused everyone present to glare at Chong Chong.
Seeing this, Chen Xiaoyan reached out and nudged Chong Chong gently. “Stop bullying her.”
Chong Chong realized her tone had been a bit much, so she nodded and stayed quiet.
Seeing the girl miraculously refrain from talking back, Chen Xiaoyan smiled warmly at the newcomer. “Little Shen Yue, is it okay if I call you that?”
“Yes, Master Xiaoyan!”
“So, what was your question?”
“Um…” Shen Yue pressed a finger to her lower lip, pondering for a moment before saying something that left everyone speechless. “I think I forgot.”
“This…” Chen Xiaoyan paused, then gently patted the girl’s head. “Alright then, just ask me next time you remember.”
“Okay, Master Xiaoyan! I’ll try my best to remember!”
Watching Shen Yue pump her small fists with a serious, adorable expression, Chen Xiaoyan couldn’t help but laugh and shake her head. This little girl was a real character, far too cute.
‘Strange, how did I never notice such a cute little girl among the Heavenly Fragrance players before?’
Afterward, Chen Xiaoyan formed the raid group and invited the eleven Heavenly Fragrance players, including Shen Yue.
Eyes are the windows to the soul. This girl didn’t feel like a mole from Wushuang Lou because her eyes were too pure—so pure that Chen Xiaoyan felt inferior just looking at them. In the messy reality of the modern world, it was almost impossible to find someone with a gaze that innocent. Therefore, the possibility of her being a spy was almost zero.
Once the team was assembled, Chen Xiaoyan dismissed the players for the time being, telling them to go about their business but to be ready to gather at any moment.
Looking at the sky, Chen Xiaoyan stretched and turned to Chong Chong. “It’s almost noon. Let’s log off, grab some lunch, and come back.”
Chong Chong didn’t move; she just stood there watching her.
Noticing her stillness, Chen Xiaoyan tilted her head. “What’s wrong?”
“Sister Xiaoyan.”
“Hmm?”
“What do you think of that little squirt?”
“You think she’s from Wushuang Lou too?”
Chong Chong stomped her foot in frustration. “Sister Xiaoyan! You know that’s not what I’m asking!”
“Not that? Then…” Chen Xiaoyan saw the panicked look in Chong Chong’s eyes and finally understood. She rolled her eyes and gave the girl a sharp flick on the forehead.
“Ouch!”
“You brat, is your head always filled with these wild thoughts? Little Shen Yue is so young, what could I possibly be thinking?”
“Really?” The joy in Chong Chong’s eyes was impossible to hide, and she immediately forgot the pain in her forehead.
“Of course. I don’t want to get censored and end up behind bars at such a young age.”
“Hehe.” Overjoyed, Chong Chong hugged Chen Xiaoyan’s arm and acted spoiled. “I know, Sister Xiaoyan. My mistake, I shouldn’t have doubted you.”
“As long as you know. Come on, let’s log off and eat.”
“Okay!” Chong Chong nodded obediently. As she looked at Chen Xiaoyan’s profile, a mischievous glint flashed in her eyes.
She quickly stood on her tiptoes, pecked Chen Xiaoyan on the cheek, and immediately vanished from the spot as she logged out.
To kiss and run—it was truly thrilling.
Chen Xiaoyan stood frozen, clutching her cheek. She stared at the spot where Chong Chong had disappeared for a long time before she finally burst into laughter.
‘That brat… she left so fast I didn’t even get a chance to hit her back. How rude.’
‘She better not let me catch her next time, or she’s in for it.’
Feeling quite pleased, Chen Xiaoyan opened the game menu to exit, but a private message from Mu Qingxue suddenly popped up.
She had no choice but to switch to the chat interface. Business came first.